284 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Covering the ground permanently with saw-log slabs has been practiced 

 with good success. The plants Avere set in well prepared soil, in straight 

 rows, one foot apart, and then slabs notched on the edge, about three inches 

 deep, ,were fitted to the plants, so that they grew in bunches in holes about 

 six inches wide, and of course free from weeds and grass. By this plan 

 no new plants are made from runners. If such are desired, a bed must be 

 kept for that purpose. The old stools of strawberry plants, after a few 

 years, grow so much above the surface that they are not productive. Hence 

 the necessity of frequent renewals. 



In transplanting strawberries in the same garden, or near where the 

 plants are obtained, take up the plants with a trowel, when the ground is 

 moist, with a good ball of earth adhering, and set them out immediately, 

 and they will not stop growing. We have moved them so when budded, 

 and they bloomed and bore fruit almost as well as though not transplanted. 

 Never set the plants any deeper than they originally stood. Although we 

 should always prefer new plants, yet it may be remembered that the art of 

 transplanting old roots, even those that have become barren, causes them 

 to send out newly bearing crowns, and so become fruitful again. It is also 

 recommended by those who have proved its value, to hill up all stools with 

 fresh earth, which has the effect to make them fruitful again. 



Watering in a dry time is highly important. It will keep the plants in 

 bearing twice as long as without it. Charles A. Peabody, of Columbus, 

 Georgia, has certainly been one of the most successful strawberry cultu- 

 rists in this country. He has carried berries to market more than six 

 months of the year, and he obtained them by copious watering with a 

 movable pump— a garden engine. He planted his beds upon sandy land, 

 newly cleared of pine and oak timber, choosing a flat near a little brook, 

 on account of convenience of water. He used no other fertilizer at first 

 than what was obtained by burning the timber and brush, and scattering 

 the ashes, and afterwards by mulching with forest leaves. After the fruit 

 season, his practice was to have a hand go through with a hoe and cut up 

 the poorest looking plants, so as to keep them from getting too thick; and 

 then the mulch being put on, the runners are prevented from setting, and 

 are afterwards cut away. He is careful to leave all the vines cut off" on the 

 ground, considering them the best fertilizer. This is true in regard to all 

 kinds of plants. The ashes are the best manure for the same kind growing. 



Mr. John G. Bergen.— I would ask if there is any virtue in pine leaves 

 as a mulch for strawberries ? I consider pine leaves the best material for 

 covering strawberry beds in winter, as well as for covering the ground 

 when vines are fruiting. 



Mr. Cavenach.— A friend of mine uses the pine leaves as a mulch; it looks 

 clean and neat, and not liable to be blown away. The plants come up in 

 the spring very readily; it is much better than salt hay or any mulch I 

 know of. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter.— I think there is great virtue in pine leaves, more 

 than in their mere action of a mulch. I have seen strawberries grow under 

 pine trees, the leaves of which mulched the plants; the strawberries under 

 these trees were better than where there was no mulch. I am not in favor 

 of mulching except to prevent the soil from damaging the crop. 



